Volunteers are at the heart of what we do, and it is only because of the time and knowledge our volunteers contribute that we are able to fulfill our mission. We hope, therefore, that you will consider responding to this Committee Call for Volunteers.

As a volunteer, you will be making a difference to this industry and giving back to other members. We hope you will also get value out of your service, making connections with other IAVM leaders and learning about the issues that face us all.

IAVM has two types of committees: board committees and management committees. A board committee helps the board do its work of oversight, strategy and member engagement. Management committees help IAVM’s management do its work of meeting the board’s goals and effectively operating the association to the benefit of our members.

On the website, you will find the list of opportunities available and the volunteer roles and responsibilities for each. To volunteer, please follow the link to complete the survey and tell us where your interest, skills, and abilities will allow you to make the greatest contribution. Even if you currently serve on a committee and wish to continue, you must indicate your interest on this application to be considered for renewal, as all committee appointments have one-year terms and term limits. You may indicate your interest for no more than three committees, so please make sure that you rank your choices with 1 being your highest preference. Finally, given the level of interest in service, we can generally only place you on one committee with some exceptions, such as the Industry Affairs Committee, which is partially filled by specified representatives (sector directors of the board, for example).

The deadline to respond to the Committee Call for Volunteers is Feb. 26, 2016; appointments to board committees will be made by the First Vice Chair, while appointments to management committees will be made by the CEO in consultation with the committee chairs and vice chairs. Volunteers will be notified of their committee assignment by the end of April/first of May.

IAVM welcomes your expertise and commitment to our active and talented group of volunteers. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

The City of Louisville took a major step in supporting Louisville City FC’s goal of building a soccer-specific stadium by announcing a $75,000 feasibility study conducted by CSL International that will examine four potential stadium sites in the Louisville, Kentucky, area.

“Professional soccer is off to a great start in Louisville, and a new soccer stadium could have many positive impacts on our economy,” Mayor Greg Fischer said. “This new investment in soccer will contribute to our authentic and vibrant community and give citizens one central team to rally around.”

Louisville City FC currently plays at Louisville Slugger Field, a minor-league baseball stadium where they averaged more than 6,000 fans per game for the inaugural 2015 season. Louisville City FC took over Orlando City’s USL Franchise after Orlando was awarded an MLS Expansion team in 2015 upon showing similar success at the lower level. As a member of the United Soccer League (USL), Louisville City FC must be in a soccer-specific stadium by 2020 per league policy, but Louisville City FC officials may be looking to follow Orlando’s lead and pursue MLS expansion rights to give Louisville its first team in one of the five major leagues (NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS).

The study’s results will provide the city an understanding of the potential to support a new 8,000- to 10,000-seat stadium that would have the ability to attract an MLS franchise to an expanded 20,000-seat stadium in the future.

(Image: Twitter)

These are selected news articles that showed up in our inboxes on Monday morning that we want to pass along to you.

David Bowie Tribute Concert to Take Place at Carnegie Hall (Billboard)
“Carnegie Hall will be presenting a memorial concert in tribute to David Bowie and his legacy (the concert was already in the works before he died, but will now be a memorial). Among the confirmed artists to perform thus far are the Roots, Cyndi Lauper, and the Mountain Goats.”

Sydney’s Sport Stadiums to Get a $1 billion-plus Upgrade Thanks to Sell-off of Land and Property Information Service (The Courier Mail)
“Premier Mike Baird has already earmarked $600 million from the Restart NSW fund for the ambitious stadiums plan, which includes the new 50,000-seat stadium at Moore Park, rebuilding Parramatta Stadium and upgrading ANZ Stadium at Homebush.”

First-of-its-kind Cowboys Club in Frisco Starts Selling Memberships to Public (The Dallas Morning News)
“The club also offers multiple dining options, a spa and salon, private and corporate meeting space, a private rooftop swimming pool and billiards tables.”

How College Football Playoff Optimizes Fan Experience on Championship Game Day and Throughout the Year (SportTechie)
“To offer fans the feeling of involvement they are seeking, the CFP Gameday app offers features that deliver immersive college football information, real-time game updates, team rankings, CFP structure and purpose information, and in-app social media interactivity. ”

For Broadway, 2015 Was a Mixed Bag (The Wall Street Journal)
“Despite strong finish in New Year’s week, the year’s numbers don’t measure up to 2014.”

(Image: David Bowie, Milton Keynes Bowl, 1983, taken by Denis O’Regan)

It’s already eight days into the new year and I’ve yet to talk about virtual reality (VR). Looks like, though, there’s something new you may be interested in. Yesterday, January 7, STRIVR Labs Inc. announced it launched a Fan Experience and VR Production division to focus on bringing fans and venues unique experiences through technology.

STRIVR recently created an immersive and interactive experience when it partnered with Madison Square Garden and the New York Rangers. Fans had the chance to become a Rangers goalie and block game-like shots in a virtual Madison Square Garden.

“STRIVR has been an incredible partner to MSG,” said Andrew Lustgarten, executive vice president of corporate development and strategy of The Madison Square Garden Co., in a statement. “You truly feel like you are on the ice at The Garden, and it brings our fans to places they’ve never been before.”

The company’s new division will be lead by Logan Mulvey, a former Hollywood film executive, and Brian Murphy, former head of finance and business development at GoDigital and Amplify under Mulvey.

STRIVR was found in February 2015 and is quickly making a name for itself as a sports training platform. There are 23 organizations and universities—such as the Minnesota Vikings, the Washington Capitals, Stanford University, and Clemson University—that make use of its technology to train athletes.

(Image: Twitter)

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today, January 7, a $1-billion plan to expand the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

“The Javits Center has long been an economic generator for this state, but we want to build and expand it to ensure it remains a premier venue for the next generation,” Governor Cuomo said in a statement. “Through one of the most aggressive development plans in the history of the State of New York, we are transforming one of our largest convention centers into an unparalleled, world-class venue. The new Javits Center will continue to garner millions in economic activity, create jobs and keep New York’s economic momentum moving forward.”

The plan calls for increasing the center’s size by more than 50 percent (from 2.1 million square feet to 3.3 million square feet), increasing truck parking (a 480,000-square-foot truck garage), increasing solar power (a 34,000-square-foot solar array), and creating a 2,500-person capacity green roof terrace with Hudson River views.

“For nearly 30 years, the Javits Center has supported thousands of jobs for New Yorkers, and the center’s expansion will create thousands more for tomorrow,” said Alan Steel, president and CEO of the New York Convention Center Operating Corp, in a statement. “Every event held at Javits strengthens New York’s economy, and with more exhibition and meeting space, this one-of-a-kind facility will realize its true potential as an economic generator. With a new truck marshaling facility on site, events can move in and out faster than ever before, saving our clients time and money and reducing the number of trucks on the streets.”

Cuomo’s proposal for Javits is projected to create 4,000 full-time jobs and 2,000 part-time jobs. The proposal’s cost will be paid for by the center within existing resources, and construction is set to begin in 2016.

“Manhattan’s West Side has become New York’s next great neighborhood, and this project capitalizes on the worldwide draw of this area,” said Henry Silverman, chairman of the board of directors for the New York Convention Center Operating Corp. and the New York Convention Center Development Corp., in a statement. “With 500,000 square feet of contiguous exhibition space on one level, the Javits Center will rival any similar venue across the nation, providing a host of unique meeting spaces that will entice businesses from around the world to unveil their latest innovations here.”

(Image: Office of the Governor Andrew Cuomo)